Bodies of Evidence
Under the microscope
Archaeological radiography
Radiography – the use of electromagnetic radiation such as X-rays
– is a way of examining objects without damaging or destroying them.
Developed for medical diagnosis, radiography is now widely used to look
at archaeological objects, including human remains.
When X-rays are directed at an object, some are absorbed and some pass
through the object to form an image on photographic film placed on the
other side. Some substances absorb more radiation than others, and more
rays will be absorbed by thick materials than thin, creating lighter and
darker areas on the photographic film. In the case of human remains, X-rays
can be used to show any damage to the skeleton, giving clues to how the
person lived and died.
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CT (or CAT) scans
While X-rays provide a flat, two-dimensional picture, CT or CAT (Computerised
Axial Tomography) scanning gives a three-dimensional image. X-rays are
directed at an object from all sides to create images of a series of
'slices' through it. A computer is used to combine these slices to generate
a three-dimensional reconstruction of the object. A detailed picture
can therefore be obtained of the whole object or any aspect of it.
Used in medicine to diagnose cancer and other conditions that affect
soft tissue, CT scanning is proving to be an increasingly valuable archaeological
tool. It was used to examine the remains of the baby
ice mummy found in Greenland and also in the exhumation
of Tutankhamun's mummy in 2005.
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DNA fingerprinting
Radiocarbon dating
Archaeological radiography
Skull reconstruction
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